Mud-chain hook.



Lw W. BECK.

MUD CHAIN HOOK. APPucATmN man FEB. 25. ma.

Patented Nov. 26

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Pr carica..

JOSEPH WARREN BECK, OF EL RITO, -NEW MEXICO.

MUD-CHAIN Hooic Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 19.18.

i Application led February 25, 1918. Serial No. 219,020.

To @7l rizo/n h5 may concern:

llc it known that I, Josnrii lV. BECK, citizen of the United States, residing at El Rito, in the county of Rio Arriba and State of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mud-Chain Hooks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andv exact description of the invention, such as will enable othcrskilled in the nrt to which it appertains to make and use the sanie.

This invention relates to fasteners, and it relates more particularly to an improved form of chain-end connectors.

One object of this invention is to providel latch that automatically closes the hookopening upon engaging a link of the chain therewith. c

Another Object is to provide an improved means for automatically locking the latch in its operative position.

Another object is to provide. a device. of this character in which the latch automatically opens, upon n'iovenient of the engaged chain link, in the direction for disengaging the latter from the hook.

Another object is to providel a honk of this character with a yieldingl resistance for the latch and also with a posititive locking means therefor.

Another'object is to provide a device of this character that consists of few and siinple parts, so that the cost of manufacture is reduced to the minimum.

)ther objects and advantages will become apparentto persons who readv the following details of description in connection with the accompanying drawings, iny which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating the angular position of a special form of chain link with relation to my improved forni 0f hook 0r chain-end connector.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, except that, the hook is shown in longitudinal scction.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation in which the chain ends are connected to the hook and alined therewith.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, except that it is shown in longitudinal section.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse Sectional view along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a'detail illustrating` a combined pivotal connector and locking niemberr -eral views, the reference character A desigmites a chain end or link of ordinary construction, and the reference character B des-I ignates a chain end or link of special construction. The special feature of this link consists in the formation of a square or noncylindrical aperture 10 through one of its ends, this link being substantially U-sliapcd, as illustrated in Fig. 5, and its other end being apertured at 11.

A specially formed bolt extends through the apertures 10 and 11 and is provided with any suitable Securing means 13. 'lhis member 12 is shown separately in Fig. 7, and constitutes the combined pivot and lock device, which is hereinafter described in detail.

A relatively'thin and long tubular inember oi' easing 14 is formed with a hook element 15, said hook element, being formed by the provision of a slot or not eh 16, wliiehextendsI diagonally through one of the longitudinal edges of member 14, and this inember is also provided with a. pirotbearing 1T, which consists of twoalincd apertures through opposite sides of member 14, as more clearly shownin Fig. 'lhe member l2 extends through the pivot bearing 17, while the notch 1'6 receives the link A.

In order to secure the linkv A in the notch 16, andtoallow the link to be released from said notch, l provide a member 18. This member is also relatively nthin and long and extends through thc tubular member 14 and is longitudinally movable in thelatter and guided in its movement by means of the inner surface in said member 14. Member 18 is formed with a diagonal shit or unich 1S), the surface at one edge ofwhich constitutes a cam 20, while the other end of slot 19 extends substantially parallel with 21. The tongue 21 and the cam surface 20 are' adapted to alternately extendacross the slot 16, as illustrated 'in Figs. 4 and 2 respectively. The iiieiiibei-.lS is provided With a longitudinally extending skit 22 (see Fi s. 4 and 5), and this slot 22 is preferably circular and relatively wide at its ends and being relatively narrow at its intermediate portion, thereby providing shoulders 23 (see Figs. 2 and 4). These shoulders coperate with an eleinent 2.4 of the bo1t'12 for lockthe cam surface 20 andmnstitutes a tongue i cular ends ot' slot 22.

Iand *1Hl against relative movement.

ing the members il and 18 against 'inove-- so as to be relatively thin and wide at this' portion, and when the hoitis turned'inthe position shown in Fig. 2, the flattened portion allows movement of member 18 longitudinally in` member 1l, the relatively narrow portion of slot 22 passingiacross the member 12so that, tiielatter hasrelative movement fronione'to the other of said cirljloweven. when the member 12 is turned into the position shown inv liig'. fi, the. element 24 engages one of the eienient's 25, and locks the members 14 The member l2 is preferably eyiindricaiat 2G and 27. so` that ythese eyiindrieal elements constitute 4journals which rotate easily in the apertures l'and the member 14:. Thomeinber l2 is also provided witlra square or non-cylindricai element which lits in the, aperture 10'. so thatthe link l? constitutes means tor turning the' member Al2 with relation to the members 14. and 1S., v

r l,Vheii the link is salone" to a position at 'an angle to the two inem `ers 1l and 18, the element- 25 is in the position for allowing; relative movement of elements 1Li`and i8: and when the several members of the device are in the,l relative position shown in Fig. 2. the link A. may be'engraged with the slot iii by pressing said -link toward the inner end otf the said s'ot. 4When vthus @nl` gaginir the iinkiwith'hookg, the link A. co-

operates with the rain 2O for movin f the vmember iti intoihe closed positions own in Fig. i, andin this closed position thel tongue 2i closes the slot 16 or closes the -hookVv Now7 by swinging: the link il into the 'position shown initie'. l. one of the shoulders 22% is engaged by the lock element 24. thereby preventive movement of niember i8 with relation to member i4, and the tongue 2l' efl'e ti'.ei v prevents the link A, from becoiiiinp` disengaged from the book l5. 'Although the lookin@ oi members 14 und 181isefi'eeted'by the eiimints 23 and 24 when'liie links A and il are inlined with the elements i4 and itl. it is to be understood that. in practico the links and are swung somewhat beyond the aiined'or ri`^etilinear position. owing' to the el'ii'vature of `the eil-ain r.|v-, .l around-the side oi a tire to which ibis der,

vice may be applied. it will be seen that win-inthe iiiiltsl and B are tiius moved beyond their aiiiied position, a great-er surface oi element 139i becomes operative.

When ily is desired io release the link A from the noli-ii `iti. a screw driver or similar tool may be employed as a lever ji'or engagement between the tire and link il vfor swing ing the latter into the position shown in l `iggs- 1 and 2, and while in this position,

meines? f V- it is only necessary to press the link A toward the opening of the notch 16, and the vinner surface of the tongue 21 constitutes a cam which coperates with the link A for effecting movement of member 18 to a position in winch the tongue 21 no longer closes the notch 16. i

ln order that the member 18 shall not nieve with respect to the member 14, except when such motion is desired, I provide the member 18 with shoulders 29, and between these shouidersl piace a, bowfspring 30, the ends of the spring being engaged with the shoulders 2), while its intermediate portion bears against the inner surface of member 14 and is siidable along said inner surface7 so that the frictionai contact of the spring against said inner surface yieidingly resists movement, of member 18 through member lll.

From the foregoing, it may be seen that l have provided a chain-end connector l which is thoroughly practical, strong', compact, durable. convenient', *thoroughly* etieient. and oomparativeiy inex iensive; and, therefore, it is believed that t is improved connector should meet with great coinniereiai success and with greatvfavor among users oi" such devices.

Although l have described this embodiment of my invention very minutely, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to these exact details of construction and arrangement ot' parts. but I ain en 'titled to make such minor changes that do `not constitute a departure from the inventive idea disclosed in the foregoing descripl. through said piv t.-beai'iiigr and through said slot, tliesecond said member being iongi tudinaiiy siidabie alone' the tirst said meniber and across the, third said member so as to bring said tongue across said diagonal (diam-receiving notch ior securing the/chain .in said notch.

2. A chain-end connector vvcomprising a relatively thin and long tubular member provided with a chain-receiving notch extendingl diagonally inward through one edgosaid member being. provided with a pivot-bearing therethrough. a second relatively thin and long member within saidy tubular member, said second member beingr provided with a tongue and with a longilio and a securing tudinally extending slot,

a chain link and member extending through through said said slot, the second said member being longitudinally slidable along the first said member and across the third said member, so as to bring said tongue across said diagonal chain-receiving notch for securing the chain in said notch.

3. A chain-end connector comprising a relatively thin and long member provided with. a chain-receiving notch extending diagonally inward through one edge, said member being provided with a pivot-bearing therethrough; a second relatively thin and long member, said second member being grovidex with a tongue and with a longitu pivot and locking member extending through a chain end and through said pivot bearing an'd through said slot, ,said second member being slidable longitudinally in the first said member and adapted to bring its tongue across the said diagonal notch for securing the chain in said notch. said combined pivot and locking member being operable to engage with a side of said slot for locking the second said member in its chain-securing posit-ion. v

fi. A chainend connector comprising a relatively thin and long member provided with a chain-receiving notchf extending diagonally inward through one edge, said member being provided with a pivot-bearing therethrough; a second relatively thin and long member, said second member being provided with a tongue and with a longitudinally extending slot; and a combined pivot and locking member extending throu rh a chain end and through said pivot bearing and through said` slot. said second mem-ber being slidable longitudinally in the first said member and adapted to bring its tongue across the said diagonal notch for Securing the chain in said notch, said combined 'pivot and locking member being operable by the manipulation of said'ehain end for elfecting locking engagement of the last said member with the second said member.

5. A chain-end connector comprising a relatively thin and long member provided with a chain-receiving notch extending diagonally inward through one edge, said member being provided with a pivot-bearing pivot-bearing and through.

inally extending slot; and a combined r of the slot,

therethrough; a second relatively thin and long member, said second member bein provided with a'tongue and with a cam, s i cam crossing lsaid notch when the lat-ter i in its chainreceiving condition a'nd being operable by movement of the chain into engagement with the notch for effecting longitudinal movement of the second said member and thereby bringing said tongue across said Anotch so as to sccure said chain 1n said notch; 'and a pivot in said pivot bearing for secures ing a chain end to the first said member.

6.v A chain connector comprising a hooked member provided with a pivot bearing; a 4second member, the latter formed with a shoulder and with a tongue and being mount- 'l0 ed for movement to bring its tongue in position to close the hook'of the first said member; and a combined pivot and locking ele ment non-rotatably engaged with a chain and extending through saidrpivot bearing and engageable with said shoulder so as to lock the second said member against movement with relation to the first said member.'

7. The combination of a relatively thin and long member formed with a pivot bear- 30 ing and a hook and a guide, the latter eX- tending longitudinally thereof; a second relatively thin and long member, said secondmember. being formed with a tongue and being mounted for movement along said guide to bring said tongue'into position for closing said hook, said second-member being formed with a slot having relatively Wide ends and a narrow intermediate portion; e combined pivot and locking member gro vided with a cylindrical portion an a slabbed portiomsaid cylindrlcal portion-being rotatable in said pivot. bearing, said slabbed portion being adapted to 'slide through or be locked by said narrow portion @E according to the relative.positionA of the second said member and the third said member; and means for rotating the third said member and thereby changing said relative positions. n I y In testimony whereof have hereunto-set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. c

` JOSEPH WARREN' BECK.

Witnesses:

D. L. LOOT, Fnnnmoo GONZALES. 

